Aerial view of College Park AirportPhoto courtesy of College
Park Aviation Museum

Many events in the history of aviation, including countless record-breaking
flights and important developments in aerial technology, took place at the
College Park Airport in Maryland. The facility began as the training
site for the first military pilots in the U. S. Army. On August 1, 1907,
the Army's Chief Signal Officer established an Aeronautical Division in
his office. He also contracted with the Wright brothers to build a flying
machine, which was delivered to Fort Myer, Virginia,
in August 1908. The contract required flights to demonstrate performance
and flying training for two Army officers. Orville Wright circled Fort Myer's
parade ground in Signal Corps Airplane No. 1, the first military airplane
in the world, but he was seriously injured when the plane crashed. Delivery
of the airplane and training of the Army pilots had to be postponed until
1909. By that time, the Signal Corps has leased a field in College Park,
selected by Lt. Frank Lahm based on observations during a balloon flight,
and built a small hangar for the airplane. On October 8, 1909, Wilbur Wright
began flying training for Lt. Lahm and 2nd Lt. Frederic E. Humphreys. Lt.
Benjamin Foulois reported for training later in October. Wilbur made 55
flights at College Park, including his last record-setting flight, 46 miles
per hour over a 500 meter course. His last flight on November 2 was the
last time he ever flew in public and also one of his last flights as a pilot.

Continuing successful flights at College Park proved to be newsworthy and
captured the attention of the Nation. Notable flights during the facility's
formative years include the first woman in America to fly as a passenger
in an aircraft, Mrs. Ralph H. Van Deman, on October 27, 1909. A nine-minute
flight on November 3, 1909, enabled the Navy to enter aviation history when
Lt. George C. Sweet, USN, became the first Naval officer to fly. Flying
at College Park was suspended on November 5, 1909, when the Army's only
aircraft was damaged during landing. Congress made its first appropriation
for Army aeronautics in March 1911, $125,000 for the 1912 fiscal year. Some
of these funds were used immediately to buy five more airplanes and to establish
the Army's first real flying school at the former training field in College
Park. The new planes arrived at College Park during the summer of 1911,
and this site became the Signal Corps Aviation School and the center of
Army aviation until the end of the year. In addition to flying training,
Army pilots also conducted experiments in radiotelegraphy, photography,
automatic weapons firing, signaling systems, and bombing devices. In late
November, the Army airmen and airplanes relocated to Augusta, Georgia, for
the winter. Although they returned to College Park in April 1912, they relocated
again in November for the winter to North Island, San
Diego, California, and never returned. The Signal Corps' lease on the
property expired in June 1913.

Hangar dating to 1919, now used for an avionics business Photo courtesy of College
Park Aviation Museum

From 1912 to 1917 the Washington Aeroplane Company maintained facilities
at College Park and there built its Columbia Biplane. On August 12, 1918,
the College Park field became the Washington terminus for the first U.S.
Post Office commercial airmail service. Emile and Henry Berliner, credited
with inventing the first helicopter possessing maneuvering capabilities,
arrived at College Park in 1920 and began testing their helicopter. The
site at College Park has witnessed such tests as the first bomb sight developed
for use in an airplane as well as the first aerial machine gun. On this
site Americans took experimented with wireless radio communications, made
the first reported nighttime landing with the aid of acetylene lamps on
the ground and developed the first radio navigational aides for all weather
flying. As the world's oldest continually operating airport, the College
Park Airport has cemented its place in aviation history.

Both an operating airport and museum, College Park Airport is located
at the north side of Paint Branch Pkwy . between U.S. Rte. 1 and Kenilworth
Ave. on Cpl. Frank S. Scott Dr. in College Park, MD. The College Park
Aviation Museum is open daily from 10:00am to 5:00pm (except major holidays)
for self-guided tours. Guided tours can be scheduled for groups of 10
or more. For further information call 301-864-6029 or visit the museum's
website.